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The Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) of Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park (MKRNP) conducted its 61st PAMB En Banc Meeting on March 10, 2023 in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.
DENR 10 Regional Executive Director/PAMB Chairperson Henry A. Adornado presided the said meeting. He encouraged the PAMB members to be observant to avoid destruction and unwanted activities inside the protected area. He also emphasized to continue strengthen the involvement of the Indigenous Peoples/local communities in the conduct of Biodiversity Monitoring System.

One of the highlights presented during the meeting was the propose establishment of a special type of public toilet called Ecological Sanitation or “EcoSan” toilet to ensure sanitation and cleanliness of the park’s water bodies on the trail and in the campsites. EcoSan toilet is a closed system that does not need water, so, it is an alternative to leach pit toilets in places where water is scarce or where the water table is high and the risk of groundwater contamination is increased. It allows for the safe recycling of nutrients to crop production in such a way that the use of non-renewable resources is minimized.

The proposed establishment of toilets is in consonance with the ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan (ATPS), which emphasized that all ASEAN member states including the Philippines must develop and implement standardized tourism services. Its objective is to develop an ASEAN Public Toilet Standard that can be implemented by the ASEAN member states to ensure the quality, comfort, safety, and proper waste management of public toilets.

On the other hand, MKRNP Protected Area Superintendent Merlita L. Tabamo reminded the public on the annual closure of mountaineering activities in MKRNP effective March 1, 2023 to May 31, 2023 pursuant to Execom Reoslution No. 626 series of 2017. This annual closure aims to improve the facilities and rehabilitate the trails in Mts Kitanglad, Dulang-Dulang and Maagnao.

Mt. Kitanglad Range is the major watershed that supports the domestic, industrial, and agricultural needs of the provinces of Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental and Cotabato. Controlled ecotourism activities are offered to both local and foreign enthusiasts. The three main destination peaks are the Mt. Dulangdulang, being the second-highest peak in the country, the Mt. Kitanglad, and Mt. Maagnao. #TayoAngKalikasan RSCIG No. 03-075-2023